Forms: (6 colege, Sc. collig, collige, 7 college), 7–9 collegue, & coliegue, 6– colleague. [a. F. collègue, ad. L. collēga, one chosen along with another, a partner in office, etc.; f. col- together + legĕre to choose, etc. In 17th c. still commonly accented on the second syllable. Not etymologically related to next word.]
1. One who is associated with another (or others) in office, or special employment; strictly, said of those who stand in the same relationship to their electors, or to the office which they jointly discharge. (Not applied to partners in trade or manufacture.)
[1524. R. Pace [at Lucca], in Strype, Eccl. Mem., I. App. xi. 22. His collega Trenouls had not according to promise written to hym syns his departeur.]
a. 1533. Frith, Wks., 61 (R.). They would geue no more place … then S. Paule gaue to Peter hys colleague.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 293. Sanct Augustyne, wit his Collige Melletus.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 531. His Collegue and fellow-Consul Catulus.
1658. Bramhall, Consecr. Bps., vi. 137. Being demanded … how Parker and his Collegues were consecrated Bishops.
a. 1661. Holyday, Juvenal, 166/1. Marius, though of mean birth, was yet a Nobleman’s College.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., I. 389. He had associated three colleagues in the exercise of the supreme power.
1851. Gladstone, Glean., IV. 4. The treaty … upon … which, as a Colleague of your Lordship, I had the honour to be employed.
b. transf. and fig.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1673), 254. The intolerable rage of their stoned horses towards their colleagues and guides.
1652. J. Hall, Height of Eloq., Introd. 25. Another vertue collegue to these is Amplification.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 59. Mercie collegue with Justice.
1822. Procter (B. Cornwall), Juan, i. This night Shall be my colleague in a desperate act.
† 2. One of two or more leagued together; a confederate, an ally. Obs. rare–1. [cf. next.]
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, III. II. 278. The Colleagues against Aldobrandino.
